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CNCC students do not gain or lose any of the rights and responsibilities of other citizens by virtue of their student status. The college recognizes the student as an adult pursuing an education. Just as a student does not lose citizenship rights upon enrolling at a college, the student also does not become immune to society’s obligations and laws or to responsibilities of daily living in a broader society. In general, behavioral norms expected of the college student are those of common decency and decorum, recognition of the non-infringement upon the rights and property of others and of the college, honesty in academic work and all other activities, and observance of local, state, and federal laws. When students enter college, they take upon themselves certain social responsibilities and obligations including satisfactory performance and social behavior consistent with the lawful purposes of the college. Student conduct, therefore, is not considered in isolation within the college community but as an integral part of the educational process. All students are expected to know and abide by this code of student conduct. Ignorance is not an excuse. As members of the college community, students are also subject to the rules and regulations of the college that are stipulated in the Student Handbook (Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Proceedings) and College Catalog. The Student Handbook can be found at https://cncc.edu/handbook The College Catalog can be found at https://cncc.edu/academics/course-catalogs

Disciplinary action may be taken for failure to comply with rules and regulations of the school and for uncooperative attitude toward the school's faculty, staff, or fellow students.

In addition to CNCC’s student code of conduct, CNCC’s paleontology digs require additional consideration due to the remote nature of work.

1. All CNCC Paleontology Field Experience Participants are required to complete an orientation meeting prior to the start of the program.
2. All participants will act in consideration of their own safety, the safety of others at all times.
3. All participants will act under the direct supervision of experienced professionals and are expected to conduct themselves in a legally, socially, and scientifically acceptable way.
4. All participants will act in consideration of the integrity of a scientific and educational endeavor. They will show respect for all participants, instructors, and professionals, as well as the local community, archeological and cultural resources in the area, and the environment in which we will be working.

 A violation of the code of conduct can result in the dismissal of the participant without eligibility for a refund of fees and without compensation for costs, fees, or tickets incurred therein. Participants are fully responsible for their own actions and behaviors through the duration of their participation in the CNCC Paleontology Field Experience.

CNCC is not immune to the COVID pandemic. CNCC is requesting participants take responsibly for their actions before, during, and after attending CNCC’s summer paleontology experiences. This includes social distancing, wearing of masks, and adhering to other COVID prevention protocols. Violation of CNCC’s COVID policies may result in expulsion of the participant from the experience under the Code of Conduct Policy.

Field Experience Only: Prior to departing to the dig site, CNCC will screen participants for signs and symptoms of COVID. This may include the requirement of completing a rapid test dependent on CNCC, or in adherence of any local, state and federal requirements. CNCC recommends students avoid high risk activities for COVID spread prior to the dig start date. Vaccination is highly recommended in addition to obtaining a COVID test prior to any travel to CNCC. Should the participant test positive, they will be able to quarantine at home and forgo travel/lodging costs of quarantining in Craig, CO.

If a participant tests positive and cannot participate, CNCC will refund the cost of the experience, including tuition. CNCC will NOT reimburse any travel, lodging, food, or any other expense that is not directly paid to CNCC. The participant will have to provide a dated doctor’s note no greater than 2-weeks  before the session start date for full reimbursement.

CNCC supports the ethical guidelines of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. All aspects of CNCC’s paleontology program, instructors, students, and volunteers will adhere to these ethics and CNCC policies at all times.

SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY MEMBER BYLAW ON ETHICS STATEMENT

ARTICLE 12. CODE OF ETHICS

Preamble

Several goals for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology follow from its mission statement.

To advance the science of vertebrate paleontology throughout the world;

To serve the common interests and facilitate the cooperation of all persons concerned with the history, evolution, ecology, comparative anatomy and taxonomy of vertebrate animals, as well as the field occurrence, collection and study of fossil vertebrates and the stratigraphy of the beds in which they are found;

To support and encourage the discovery, conservation and protection of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites;

To foster the scientific, educational and personal appreciation and understanding of vertebrate fossils and fossil sites by avocational, student and professional paleontologists and the general public.

Fossil vertebrates are usually unique or rare, nonrenewable scientific and educational resources that, along with their accompanying contextual data, constitute part of our natural heritage. They provide data by which the history of vertebrate life on earth may be reconstructed and are one of the primary means of studying evolutionary patterns and processes as well as environmental change.

Section 1. Professional standards in collection of fossils
It is the responsibility of vertebrate paleontologists to strive to ensure that vertebrate fossils are collected in a professional manner, which includes the detailed recording of pertinent contextual data, such as geographic, stratigraphic, sedimentologic and taphonomic information.

Section 2. Adherence to regulations and property rights
It is the responsibility of vertebrate paleontologists to assist government agencies in the development of management policies and regulations pertinent to the collection of vertebrate fossils, and shall comply with those policies and regulations during and after collection. The necessary permits on all lands administered by federal, state, and local governments, whether domestic or foreign, must be obtained from the appropriate agency(ies) before fossil vertebrates are collected. Collecting fossils on private lands must be done only with the landowner's consent.

Section 3. Fossil preparation
Fossil vertebrate specimens should be prepared by, or under the supervision of, trained personnel.

Section 4. Deposition of fossil specimens
Scientifically significant fossil vertebrate specimens, along with ancillary data, should be curated and accessioned in the collections of repositories charged in perpetuity with conserving fossil vertebrates for scientific study and education (e.g., accredited museums, universities, colleges and other educational institutions).

Section 5. Publication and education
Information about vertebrate fossils and their accompanying data should be disseminated expeditiously to both the scientific community and the interested general public.

Section 6. Commercial sale or trade
The barter, sale or purchase of scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned, unless it brings them into, or keeps them within, a public trust. Any other trade or commerce in scientifically significant vertebrate fossils is inconsistent with the foregoing, in that it deprives both the public and professionals of important specimens, which are part of our natural heritage.

GENERAL ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK & RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC or the College) is a public higher education institution. References to the College include its officers, officials, employees, volunteers, students, agents, and assigns.

I, voluntarily choose to participate in CNCC’s summer paleontology program

RISKS INVOLVED: This activity, and other similar activities, involve some risk of injury, but the resultant fun, improved fitness, and sense of accomplishment outweigh the risks for most users. Injuries during physical activity can be a result of any number of inherent risks, including factors such as 1) excess stress during exercise, 2) inadvertent user inattention, 3) unexpected equipment failure, 4) inadvertent instructor error, 5) user misinterpreting instructor directions, and 6) misjudgments of user ability by the user or instructor.

ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK: I understand that the inherent risks of physical injury vary with the activity, the muscle group involved, the activity area, and with the exercise equipment used. I recognize that some activities involve very little risk of injury and other activities involve significant risk of injury. I also recognize that the risk of injury increases with age and with lack of fitness.

I further understand that there is always a risk of injury by participating in any type of physical activity that cannot eliminated regardless of the care taken by CNCC to avoid injuries. I recognize that CNCC has no obligation to attend to any of my medical or medication needs; that I bear sole responsibility and risk for such needs.

I have been advised that I should consult with a medical doctor regarding my personal medical needs prior to engaging in physical activity of this nature. I understand the demands of certain activities relative to my physical condition and skill level. I appreciate the types of injuries that may occur as a result of this activity and their potential impact on my well-being and lifestyle.

I knowingly and voluntarily assume all inherent risks.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I expressly agree to release, indemnify, and defend the College, including its officials, officers, employees, agents, volunteers, sponsors, and students, from and against any claim that I, the participant, my parents or legal guardian, or any other person may have for any loss, damage, or injury (whether physical, emotional, or mental or involving personal property) arising out of or in connection with my participation in this Program.

GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION, AND SEVERABILITY: This Release and Liability Form shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, which shall be the forum for any legal action incident to this Form or the Program. If any portion of this Form is held invalid, the rest of the document shall continue in full force and effect.

SIGNATURE: I have read the terms and conditions of participation and agree to abide by them. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and CNCC, and I sign it of my own free will.

CNCC will be crossing private land to reach the dig site. By completing the liability form below, you agree to the landowners requirements. 

Cross Mountain Ranch Limited Partnership

Waiver and Release Agreement

Please read carefully before signing.

This is a release of liability and waiver of certain legal rights.

In consideration for my being permitted to enter upon that portion of Cross Mountain Ranch described as the road to BLM_____ (the “Property”) for the purpose of __research_, I agree to the following Waiver and Release:

I acknowledge that entering upon the Property has inherent risks, hazards, and dangers for anyone that cannot be eliminated, particularly in a wilderness environment. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE RISKS, HAZARDS, AND DANGERS INCLUDE WITHOUT LIMITATION:

1. Variations in terrain including creeks, water, bridges, traveled roads, wild things, stumps, forest growth, debris, rocks and cliffs, and other obstacles whether they are obvious or not obvious, man-made or natural;
2. Hiking in rugged country;
3. Encounters with wildlife, animals, and insects;
4. Temperature extremes;
5. Inclement weather conditions and the unavailability of immediate medical attention in the wilderness in case of injury; and
6. [The risk of injury from riding on an all terrain vehicle (ATV) or any vehicle used off the paved road.]

have sufficient health, accident and liability insurance to cover any bodily injury or property damage I may incur, and to cover bodily injury and or property damage caused to a third party. If having no such insurance, I certify that I am capable of personally paying for any and all such expenses and liability.

I, for myself, my heirs, successors, executors, and subrogates, hereby KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE AND RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS CROSS MOUNTAIN RANCH LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a California limited partnership (“CMR”), its partners, directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, liabilities, suits, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with my entering upon the Property including, but not limited to, NEGLIGENCE of any kind or nature, whether foreseen or unforeseen arising directly or indirectly out of any damage, loss, injury, paralysis, or death to me or my property as a result of my entering upon the Property, whether such damage, loss, injury, paralysis, or death results from negligence of CMR or from some other cause. I, for myself, my heirs, my successors, executors, and subrogees, further agree not to sue CMR as a result of any injury, paralysis, or death suffered in connection with my entering upon the Property.

Periodically we may take photos or video of participants for social media, advertising, and other purposes. By registering for classes, you consent to Colorado Northwestern Community College using your likeness in promotional materials. If you do not wish to be included in these photos/vides, it is your responsibility to identify yourself with the production team before the shoot so they can take steps to exclude you. Minors must have a media release form signed by their legal guardian.